Mishap Lakes Life of Ernest Beach on Monday Morning
One county man was killed, and another seriously injured in an airplane crash about six miles northwest of Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
Dead is Ernest Beach, 53, Currie area semi-retired farmer. Recovering from serious injuries contained in the mishap is Perne Silvernale, 45, cafe operator.
The airplane, a two place Aeronca, crashed to the earth on the old Casper Weigand farm in Mason Township. Beach was killed instantly but Silvernale, who was riding in the rear seat of the tandem aircraft, never lost consciousness.
Funeral services will be held today, (Thursday) for Ernest Beach at 9 a.m. from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic church in Currie.
According to medical officials, Silvernale’s condition is fair as of today. He sustained serious fractures of both ankles and a compression fracture in his back. He is also suffering from lacerations on his head, but the doctors do not think he has any serious internal or head injuries.
Among the first at the scene of the crash was Walt Silvernale of Currie, brother of Perne and member of the county commissioners. Rescuers first moved the men from the aircraft and then called doctors ambulance from Slayton. The commissioner reportedly saw the plane go down behind a small hill but did not actually see it make contact with the ground.
Definite cause of the crash is not known, but area aviation enthusiasts believe the craft lost flying speed as a result of a low speed, low altitude downwind turn.
Beach was a pilot of about 10 years’ experience and had purchased this particular airplane just last summer.
Experts from the Civil Aeronautics Authority, St. Paul, were on the scene of the accident on Tuesday, but released no information as to the probable cause of the crash. Earlier news reports appearing in daily publications had indicated the men were fox hunting from the plane, which would explain the low altitude maneuvers if true.
Markings in the field, where the airplane crashed show that the wing first struck the ground and the plane then nosed in. Although ski equipped, it skidded practically not at all. The landing gear was completely collapsed under the plane, the propeller was bent back and the front end of the craft, including the cabin, was practically demolished.
Both men were married. Beach is survived by his wife and seven daughters. Silvernale has a wife and 5 children.

Murray County Herald
Slayton, Minnesota January 12, 1956
Crash Victim Buried From Currie Church
Funeral services for Ernest Beach were held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Currie, at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5. Interment was at the Calvary Cemetery at Currie.
Pall bearers were Frank Fritz, Walter Silvernale and Matt Schu of Currie, Brady Overton of Mankato, Ray Grahm of Marshall and John Schreier of Marcus, Iowa.
Ernest Beach was born March 11, 1902 and spent his entire life in the Currie community.
He was united in marriage to Lena Schreier May 9, 1922, after which they started farming. He retired from active farming 10 years ago but continued to live on the homestead.
He is survived by his wife and seven daughters (Marcella) Mrs. Oliver Gregoire of Currie, (Berniece) Mrs. Earl Silva of San Francisco, Calif., (Lorraine) Mrs. Calvin Jones of Reading, (Eileen) Mrs. Lloyd Johnson of Currie, (Darlene) Mrs. Donald LeClaire of Currie, (Doretta) Mrs. Virgil Landsman of Pipestone and Beverly at home. There are 12 grandchildren.
Mr. Beach passed away Jan. 2 as a result of a plane crash. At the time of his passing he was 53 years 9 months and 9 days of age.